Topic 'Re: What to leave on - empty house' in forum 'Home Improvement' - dslreports.comhttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27941454
enTue, 31 Mar 2015 16:50:45 EDTTue, 31 Mar 2015 16:50:45 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27963263
A note on the safe deposit box - be sure to have additional (notarized if necessary) copies kept in a bank in your wife's new area. Just in case. My mother's best friend had to be admitted to a nursing home, several states away, and my mother's health was not good enough to hop a plane and get into the joint safe deposit box. My sister lived a few hours away (from BF) and it was a legal paper mess, faxing authorization forms back and forth between attorneys, so that she could access the box on behalf of my mom. ]]>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27963263Wed, 30 Jan 2013 20:30:07 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27957754
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27957754Tue, 29 Jan 2013 10:08:32 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27957531
Check with your home insurance. If nobody is going to be in your house that may void any home insurance you have]]>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27957531Tue, 29 Jan 2013 08:43:43 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27947177
It would be best if you had a friend or relative to visit or stay in your house a couple days a week so it looks like someone still lives there. It's the best way to deter the crooks.

Truly, from the bottom of our hearts -- TY. We've done the deployments, but never leaving the house. This is why I paid for BBR/DSLR - what a great community. :)--That's "MISTER"Kafir to you.]]>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27946202Fri, 25 Jan 2013 11:04:06 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27945969
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27945969Fri, 25 Jan 2013 09:55:10 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27945186
Unplug TV's and etc.

Have someone check your house, inside and out at least once per week. Have a neighbor check the front door daily to remove junk flyers and have same neighbor check the mail box for mail (subs often leave mail when mail is held or forwarded).

Put jewelry and important papers in a safe deposit box at your bank. Have backups of your computers stored in a safe location or in a cloud service. --Team Discovery]]>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27945186Thu, 24 Jan 2013 23:52:48 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27944672
If it is a new Trane the thermostat probably has humidity control built into it. This function may not be enabled however, try calling your HVAC installer and ask them.

55* may be a reasonable number, but 50* would work also. The big thing is to keep pipes from freezing. --The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.]]>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27944672Thu, 24 Jan 2013 20:59:50 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27944633
BTW - had a plumber install a heavy duty water cutoff in my garage. 2" inlet pipe and cost was only $138. Great peace of mind during any absence as street valve never fully closes.

Stay safe, God Bless You and Yours.

Thank You for Serving!]]>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27944633Thu, 24 Jan 2013 20:45:53 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27944448
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27944448Thu, 24 Jan 2013 19:39:28 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27944408
Here's a tip and it's a biggie. Most people are unaware of this, as I was. Regular home owners insurance often is void if a home isn't occupied or lived in for an extended period. 30 days is a common time-frame. Leave the house unoccupied and find out the hard way if something happens to the home---- the coverage is void or severely curtailed and they won't cover damages or losses.

You may need Vacancy insurance. Do you have an alarm system and someone you trust with the code and willing to have the alarm company notify them if there is a problem?

--"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." -- Benito Mussolini]]>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27944408Thu, 24 Jan 2013 19:25:44 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27944303
I know several people who have beach homes-most leave general circuits on like I think you have decided to do (for night lights/timers.) They simply unplug all the nonessentials/cut breakers for the same.

Thank you, and good luck. The Kudzu, red clay, and collards will be waiting on you :-) ]]>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27944303Thu, 24 Jan 2013 18:56:43 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27944209
* Furnace - is gas - electric ignition - is 55F good? Warmer?* AC - yes, I'm concerned about humidity, so I want to stick with that. I'll check my TStats. They're new Trane systems (8months old) and I haven't read all the features/functions.* Fridge/Freezer - Check on open doors* Toilets - Check

I've got a great list going on. I appreciate the experience. This is the first time we'll be leaving our 'baby' alone. Scares the $#!+ outa me, but my wife being with family/friends on this last ride is healthy for her. TY'all ( --not bad for a Colorado/Georgia transplant eh?).--That's "MISTER"Kafir to you.]]>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27944209Thu, 24 Jan 2013 18:25:29 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27943993
--Cry "Havoc!" and let slip the dogs of war]]>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27943993Thu, 24 Jan 2013 17:17:14 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27942978
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27942978Thu, 24 Jan 2013 12:06:07 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27942604
--nohup rm -fr /&]]>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27942604Thu, 24 Jan 2013 10:15:41 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27942568
Turn off Gas if presentTurn off toiletsHeck, turn off water at the street to be safe.

PS. I truly appreciate your service to our country.

Take care of yourself over there friend.

Dave--I may have been born yesterday. But it wasn't at night.]]>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27942568Thu, 24 Jan 2013 10:04:33 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27942560
said by Pacrat:

Around here, the local cops will give the house a quick check everyday if you ask nicely. Seriously, it's a service they advertise on their web site. They don't enter the property, but will check to see if all the outside doors are secured and locked. Also, make sure to stop all mail at the post office and any and all newspaper deliveries if you subscribe. If you know your neighbors fairly well, it wouldn't hurt to ask them to kinda keep an eye out for you, too. You may also have to arrange for someone to cut the grass if you're going to be gone that long.

We'll do that too here in New Orleans. We actually ask that residents advise our district stations when they will be gone for extended periods of time so our patrol officers can check the residence.

@ ImpldConsent , thanks for your service man. Stay safe brother. --"All newspaper editorial writers ever do is come down from the hills after the battle is over and shoot the wounded." - Bruce Anderson "I have often regretted my speech, never my silence." - Xenocrates]]>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27942560Thu, 24 Jan 2013 10:02:54 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27942471
Why bother with the A/C? There were houses long before we had A/C and they did fine. If you are really concerned, I'd imagine a dehumidifier draining to a sink would use a lot less electricity than an A/C.

Other than the advice of having someone checking on it and timers to make it look like someone is home. As well as a motion sensing fixture would be a good idea.]]>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27942471Thu, 24 Jan 2013 09:35:00 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27942413
May want to consider doing the same for the dishwasher too.]]>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27942413Thu, 24 Jan 2013 09:18:36 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27942304
said by Monkey344 :

the water in your p.traps for sinks and tubs will eventually evaporate. Therefore you may want to get some of those rubber plugs. Else the sewer gases might come up and leave you with unpleasant odors.

Good call - also, pouring a little mineral oil (not vegetable or animal-based oils, they'll go rancid) down the drains will help prevent the trap drying out... Doesn't have to be much, less then 1/4 cup per drain should be lots.]]>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27942304Thu, 24 Jan 2013 08:43:09 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27942222
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27942222Thu, 24 Jan 2013 08:02:09 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27942204
If the pilot light were to go out?

Just thinking about the furnace and the chance that the pilot may go out.As gas lines have been know to break when it gets cold outside and the ground shifts. Meaning gas service was cut off to your area, then restored.

--Is a person a failure for doing nothing? Or is he a failure for trying, and not succeeding at what he is attempting to do? What did you fail at today?.]]>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27942204Thu, 24 Jan 2013 07:52:41 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27942168
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27942168Thu, 24 Jan 2013 07:25:00 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27942123
Is it baseboard hot water? If so you need to keep the water on for that as it may need a little water for makup. There my be a little loss through any air eliminator valves and the like. This does not happen a lot, and a perfect system will never need added water but nothing is perfect. You don't want your furnace to go dry.

Keeping a certain summertime maximum temp is not that important, the important thing is maintaining a reasonable relative humidity in the house. Setting the thermostat to, lets say, 85* will result in a certain relative humidity during the summer. There are some thermostats that can be set to a temperature setpoint and a maximum humidity. They will override the temperature setting, to a userdefined limit, and lower the temp to remove moisture to satisfy the RH setting you have selected.

Along the lines of A/C: has you unit been serviced lately, coils cleaned, wires tightened, refrigerant charge verified etc? At the least, the return air filters should be changed.

Tim--The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.]]>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27942123Thu, 24 Jan 2013 06:29:52 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27942002
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27942002Thu, 24 Jan 2013 04:05:21 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27942033
AC operation from 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. set low enough 74to operate continually during the 2-hour period see closing your house

»lake.ifas.ufl.edu/family_and_con ··· _000.pdf]]>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27942033Thu, 24 Jan 2013 03:43:49 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27941946
--Keep your eye on the ball, your shoulder to the wheel, your nose to the grindstone, and your ear to the ground. Now, try to work in that position!!!]]>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27941946Thu, 24 Jan 2013 01:41:39 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27941649
said by mattmag:

You didn't mention how it was heated, but make sure the water heater is off (killing circuit may have you covered)If you have a water cutoff inside the house-turn the water off so a neighbor doesn't turn the water on at the street and use your spigots.

Tankless that uses a bit of electricity to ignite the gas. I wouldn't see any reason to keep that thing on. Good idea on the water cutoff in the house... didn't think about that. TY

...lights would be nice for that person.Do you have a sump pump? Make sure that is on. Also any attic fans should be left turned on at the breaker.Security lights? Alarm system? they need power.Water heater OFF?Yes, turn off water supply to house.Open faucets and drain pipes as best you can...Add RV antifreeze to toilets bowls to keep them from freezing. Do this after you flush water from tank.Stop garbage collection if that is billed separately from taxes.

Check, check and check. I didn't think about the sump pump, so that will stay on ... well, heck, now that you've brought all those points up, I guess the CBs will stay on. TY

...install lamp timers in different rooms and set them for random cycles. ...make sure no "squatters" have taken up residence.

I've re-evaluated my circuit breaker stance and the lamp timers will help as well. Squatters ... yea, I've read about them. That would be a nightmare for them if either I or my neighbors find them in my house. TY.--That's "MISTER"Kafir to you.]]>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27941649Wed, 23 Jan 2013 22:54:54 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27941567
You will need for someone to go into the house frequently and make sure no "squatters" have taken up residence. Those can be especially difficult to eliminate once established, and more costly and time consuming than any rodent infestation ever was.--~Help Find a Cure for Cancer~ ~Proud Member of Team Discovery ~]]>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27941567Wed, 23 Jan 2013 22:33:45 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27941550
Someone may need to get in a look around for you to check things out so lights would be nice for that person.

Do you have a sump pump? Make sure that is on. Also any attic fans should be left turned on at the breaker.

Security lights? Alarm system? they need power.

Water heater OFF?

Yes, turn off water supply to house.

Open faucets and drain pipes as best you can so if furnace fails pipes will not burst. However the chances of the inside pipes of a house in Ga freezing is slim to none.

Add RV antifreeze to toilets bowls to keep them from freezing. Do this after you flush water from tank.

Stop garbage collection if that is billed separately from taxes.

Most important: God bless and be safe.--The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.]]>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27941550Wed, 23 Jan 2013 22:30:04 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27941521
If you have a water cutoff inside the house-turn the water off so a neighbor doesn't turn the water on at the street and use your spigots. ]]>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27941521Wed, 23 Jan 2013 22:22:18 EDTRe: What to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27941491
Well first off, thank you for serving our country.

On the AC, I'd think 85 is a little high. Maybe closer to 80? I don't think you'll get effective de-humidification at that higher temp setting.

I assume your freezer/refrigerator is empty?

Otherwise it looks OK. I'm sure there are other things that will be mentioned here though.]]>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/Re-What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27941491Wed, 23 Jan 2013 22:10:27 EDTWhat to leave on - empty househttp://www.dslreports.com/forum/What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27941454
* Run both ACs, set to - 85F?* Run furnaces, set to - 55F?* Keep gas on* Kill all circuit breakers except above* Turn off water at the street

That's all I can think of. The pool is currently closed for the winter with a heavy duty cover (think elephant cover thing). Not sure if I should just leave it as is until we come back or not. I might have the pool company come out and assist.

Anyone with experience on this - I've never left a house empty before. Can y'all assist? What am I missing? (yes, the security piece is covered)--That's "MISTER"Kafir to you.]]>http://www.dslreports.com/forum/What-to-leave-on-empty-house-27941454Wed, 23 Jan 2013 20:36:54 EDT